Buy Christmas Decorations in London

Half the fun of Christmas is dressing up...not just yourself but your home. Whether it's cool chic, snug sparkle or a winter wonderland you're after, London has got all the inspiration and paraphernalia to create a festive atmosphere. From buying your tree to putting the finishing touches to the dining table, we've put together a complete guide to where to go for traditional trimmings, imaginative ideas, the best bargains, most elegant decorations and even hands-on hints for getting creative with the kids.

This is an Aladdin's cave in Hays Galleria bursting at the seams with enough twinkling bits 'n' bobs and Christmas clutter that Father Christmas' North Pole home could have a complete makeover (without dipping into his present fund). The Christmas Shop is home to some truly spectacular tat so if you're having a Christmas party and want to deck the halls with boughs of plastic holly and foil jingle bells, Buckingham Palace baubles and silver or gold glitter acrylic reindeer (with sleigh) this is the ultimate place to splurge. The sheer amount of stuff on display means there are some genuine bargains here too - you'll be able to pick out glass baubles to match your colour scheme, adorn your tree with pretty lanterns and find some great table decorations. There are also nativity scenes, illuminated houses, stockings and sacks, treetop angels and Christmas crackers among the crowded displays. It's the only official Christmas shop in London and, like stepping through the wardrobe into Narnia, a winter wonderland awaits 12 months a year. Whether the thought of Christmas fills you with bah humbugs or a tinkling of jingle bells, the glitz and sparkle are worth the trip over to Tower Bridge.

The Christmas wreath is the first thing that well-wisher, carol-singers and holiday visitors will see when they arrive at your door, so it's important to get it right. To make a real statement we recommend a trip to Clifton Nurseries, they stock at least 8 different varieties all costing around £45. These aren't just your average holly and ivy wreaths, why not opt for a chilli marmalade wreath, comprising a spicy mix of kumquat, chilli, bay and rosemary. Or take home an edible luxury spiced wreath full of crab apples, citrus fruits, cinnamon sticks and nuts. Just a word of warning, some of these wreaths are edible so watch out for peckish carol-singers. All these

If you've ever been envious of friends who seem to have Christmas all wrapped up in beautifully-presented gifts, V V Rouleaux will provide all the inspiration you need to become a parcel professional. This shop has ribbons galore, from taffeta and organdie to polka dots and stripes with heaps more feathers, flowers, tassels and trimmings to mix and match. Of course, if you're contemplating a bit of interior designing, this is the place to add the must-have finishing flourishes to your own adventures in style. But whether it's just jazzing up your wrapping technique or branching out to decorate candlesticks, table settings or mantelpieces, this is a treasure trove of imaginative ideas and elegant touches. There's enough sparkle, soft shades and showy splashes to cater for all tastes and styles but you'll need more than a flying visit to truly browse through all the options. For Christmas there's an extensive range of garlands, wreaths and branches complete with jewels, glitter, berries, crystals and even more ribbon than usual.

The Liberty Christmas Shop is home to some of the city's most luxurious and dazzling baubles. While a Christmas outing to Liberty may not be the frugal option, it is certainly one of the most aesthetically pleasing. Their stuffed felt Christmas puddings are sprinkled with beaded embellishments. Their range of intricate London icons - including tiny red buses, phone boxes and Big Bens - are all made from mouth-blown glass and hand decorated with glitter. And their adorable collection of miniature woodland creatures are the antithesis of tacky tinsel. Top off your tree with an elegant Liberty fairy and you are sure to have one of the most charming trees in town. To make a real style statement this Christmas, lay your table with Liberty's superior crackers, complete with peacock feathers and bows and hang their satin embroidered stockings on the chimney.

For all the trimmings this Christmas, head to Heal's. Whatever your Christmas taste may be you're sure to find something you like here, be it a royal spruce synthetic tree, baby polar bear lamps or perhaps a Bambi snowglobe. Heal's are renowned for their modern decorations and high quality home furnishings, so if you want to add a quirky touch to your Christmas tableware you might enjoy some of this year's collection which includes Christmas pudding salt and pepper shakers, mini robin eggcups and penguin shaped drink coolers.

Habitat - the brainchild of designer Terance Conran - has had a tough few years, with many of its nationwide stores closing down. But the store remains present in the capital and have a great range of festive decorations, many with an attractive reduced price tag attached. They stock an extensive range of festive lights, so whether it's icicles, snowflakes or holly and ivy baubles you want to deck the halls with this Christmas, Habitat is the place to find them. Perhaps the biggest hit this year will be the colourful and quirky tree decorations. Their hand-painted glass baubles come in the style of retro robots, flamboyant peacocks and dancing carousel horses; all guaranteed to make your tree stand out from the other spruces.